2026 Agronomic Field Crop Tours
Carvel Research and Extension Tours
August 6, 2026
1 to 6 p.m.
We鈥檙e excited to announce the expansion of the Carvel Crop Tour鈥攖o include 6 crop-specific mini tours, presentation style main tent speakers, expanded poultry education and a general public farm research overview tour!
Registration not needed
Rain Date: August 7
Location
Carvel Research and Education Center
16483 County Seat Highway
Georgetown, Delaware 19947
The 91原创 Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown invites the agriculture community to attend Agronomic, Fruit and Vegetable Crops and Poultry tours on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. No need to register.
鈥淭he depth and diversity of research happening at this facility is something we鈥檙e incredibly proud of, and we鈥檙e eager to share these efforts with farmers across Delmarva,鈥 said James Adkins, director of the Carvel Center. 鈥淲hether you grow corn and soybeans, raise poultry, or produce fresh market vegetables, there鈥檚 likely a project underway here that speaks directly to your interests.鈥
鈥淲e鈥檙e also excited to welcome several exhibitors to this year鈥檚 event, bringing back the spirit of our former Farm and Field Day gatherings,鈥 Adkins added.
A longstanding tradition at 91原创鈥檚 Georgetown campus, Carvel鈥檚 August tours provide an opportunity for 91原创 Extension researchers and Extension specialists to report their research to farmers, certified crop advisors, agriculture industry professionals, and Cooperative Extension colleagues from neighboring regions. The opportunity to examine field conditions in real time provides agriculture stakeholders with valuable information for planning and managing crops.
Carvel Research and Education Tours
Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 1 to 6 p.m.
Location:
91原创 Carvel Research & Education Center:
16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, Delaware
Overview of Activities
Wagon tour for a general overview of the research farm and research plots
Crop-specific wagon tours of research plots with 91原创 specialists and agents covering agronomic crops, fresh market vegetables, processing vegetables, melons, sorghum, and alternative crops
Presentations throughout the afternoon under the main tent听
Commercial poultry production sessions
Master Gardener garden open for viewing
Fruit plot demonstration area open for viewing
Interact with local exhibitors
听
Main Tent in the Grove
1 to 1:10 p.m.听Welcome and Introductions 鈥 James Adkins 鈥 Director of the 91原创 Carvel Research and Education Center
1:20 p.m.听Value of Agriculture to Delaware 鈥 Secretary Wm. Donald Clifton 鈥 Secretary of Agriculture for Delaware
1:50 p.m.听Overview of Delmarva Poultry Production 鈥 Georgie Cartanza 鈥 91原创 Poultry Extension Agent
2:40 p.m.听Crop Insurance Tools & Grain Marketing 鈥 Nate Bruce 鈥 91原创 Farm Business Management Specialist
3 p.m.听91原创 Campus Research Sharing
4:20 p.m.听Produce Food Safety 鈥 Jenn Jones 鈥 91原创 Produce Food Safety Extension Agent
听
Wagon Field Tours
GENERAL PUBLIC WAGON TOURS
Wagon tour of the research farm and research plots听
2:20听 p.m. to 3:20听 p.m. 鈥 Tour #1
3:30听 p.m. to 4:30听 p.m. 鈥 Tour #2
*Tour #2 is a repeat of Tour #1
听
AGRONOMIC CROP TOUR #1
1:20听 p.m. to 2:30听 p.m.
Corn Hybrid Performance Testing Program and Corn Genome to Field (G2F) Initiative 鈥 Tecle Weldekidan and Qi Mu 鈥 91原创 Scientist and Assistant Professor of Molecular Plant Breeding and Genomics
Foliar Nutrient and Plant Growth Regulators in Corn and Soybeans 鈥 Dr. Cory Whaley 鈥 91原创 Sussex County Ag Extension Agent
Nematode Management 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
How Best to Apply Herbicides in a Rolled Cereal Rye Cover Crop 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
AGRONOMIC CROP TOUR #2
3 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.
Soybean Variety Trial Testing Program, Corn Planting Timing and Sulfur Needs, and Soybean Response to Calcium from Lime and Gypsum 鈥 Dr. Jarrod Miller 鈥 91原创 Extension Agronomist
Soybean Inoculants 鈥 Dr. Cory Whaley 鈥 91原创 Sussex County Ag Agent
Tar Spot and Other Disease Management in Corn and Soybeans 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
Stink Bug and Corn Earworm Management in Soybeans 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
听
SORGHUM/SOYBEAN AND ALTERNATIVE CROP TOUR
4:50 pm to 6:00 pm
Disease Management in Sorghum 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
Aphid Management in Sorghum 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
Soybean Population and Crop Residue 鈥 Dr. Jarrod Miller 鈥 91原创 Extension Agronomist
Exploring alternative crops for new uses and conservation purposes: flax for fiber and Kernza, perennial grain crop 鈥 Dr. Alex Huddell 鈥 91原创 Assistant Professor of Agroecology/Sustainable Crop Production Systems
Faba Beans and Shelly Beans as New Crop Opportunities 鈥 Dr. Emmalea Ernest 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
FRST P and K Rates 鈥 Dr. Amy Shober 鈥 91原创 Professor and Extension Specialist, Nutrient Management
听
Fruit and Vegetable Crop Wagon Tours
FRESH MARKET VEGETABLE TOUR
1:20听 p.m. to 2:30听 p.m.
Fresh Market Vegetable Variety Trials (Bicolor Sweet Corn, Spring Broccoli, Bell Pepper, Lettuce and Cantaloupe) and Plasticulture System Strategies 鈥 Dr. Emmalea Ernest and Heather Hickman 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist and Research Associate
Trellised Cucumbers, Peppers, Lettuce and Spring/Summer Planted Rye Row Middles 鈥 available to view
Cantaloupe, Snap Bean, and Sweet Corn Response to Multiple Rates of Soil-Applied Herbicides 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
Insect Management in Sweet Corn and Cantaloupes 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
听
PROCESSING VEGETABLE CROP TOUR
3:00听 p.m. to 4:10听 p.m.
Lima, Snap Bean, and Pea Variety Trials and 2026 Research on Nematode Resistance in all Advanced Breeding Lines, Impacts of Upright Plant Architecture on Seed Quality and a Direct Comparison of No-till vs Tillage Production 鈥 Dr. Emmalea Ernest 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Demonstration of a Precision Sprayer Designed to Target Individual Weeds 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
Seed Corn Maggot Management 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
听
MELON CROP TOUR
4:50 p.m. to 6 p.m.
From Flower to Fruit: Grafted Watermelon Row Spacing Trial 鈥 Lyndsie Mikkelsen 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Agent
Weed Control for Row Middles 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
Cucumber Beetle Management in Melons 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
Disease Management in Melons 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
Wagon Field Tours
GENERAL PUBLIC WAGON TOURS
Wagon tour of the research farm and research plots听
2:20听 p.m. to 3:20听 p.m. 鈥 Tour #1
3:30听 p.m. to 4:30听 p.m. 鈥 Tour #2
*Tour #2 is a repeat of Tour #1
听
AGRONOMIC CROP TOUR #1
1:20听 p.m. to 2:30听 p.m.
Corn Hybrid Performance Testing Program and Corn Genome to Field (G2F) Initiative 鈥 Tecle Weldekidan and Qi Mu 鈥 91原创 Scientist and Assistant Professor of Molecular Plant Breeding and Genomics
Foliar Nutrient and Plant Growth Regulators in Corn and Soybeans 鈥 Dr. Cory Whaley 鈥 91原创 Sussex County Ag Extension Agent
Nematode Management 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
How Best to Apply Herbicides in a Rolled Cereal Rye Cover Crop 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
AGRONOMIC CROP TOUR #2
3 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.
Soybean Variety Trial Testing Program, Corn Planting Timing and Sulfur Needs, and Soybean Response to Calcium from Lime and Gypsum 鈥 Dr. Jarrod Miller 鈥 91原创 Extension Agronomist
Soybean Inoculants 鈥 Dr. Cory Whaley 鈥 91原创 Sussex County Ag Agent
Tar Spot and Other Disease Management in Corn and Soybeans 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
Stink Bug and Corn Earworm Management in Soybeans 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
听
SORGHUM/SOYBEAN AND ALTERNATIVE CROP TOUR
4:50 pm to 6:00 pm
Disease Management in Sorghum 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist
Aphid Management in Sorghum 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
Soybean Population and Crop Residue 鈥 Dr. Jarrod Miller 鈥 91原创 Extension Agronomist
Exploring alternative crops for new uses and conservation purposes: flax for fiber and Kernza, perennial grain crop 鈥 Dr. Alex Huddell 鈥 91原创 Assistant Professor of Agroecology/Sustainable Crop Production Systems
Faba Beans and Shelly Beans as New Crop Opportunities 鈥 Dr. Emmalea Ernest 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
FRST P and K Rates 鈥 Dr. Amy Shober 鈥 91原创 Professor and Extension Specialist, Nutrient Management
Fruit and Vegetable Crop Wagon Tours
FRESH MARKET VEGETABLE TOUR
1:20听 p.m. to 2:30听 p.m.
Fresh Market Vegetable Variety Trials (Bicolor Sweet Corn, Spring Broccoli, Bell Pepper, Lettuce and Cantaloupe) and Plasticulture System Strategies 鈥 Dr. Emmalea Ernest and Heather Hickman 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist and Research Associate
Trellised Cucumbers, Peppers, Lettuce and Spring/Summer Planted Rye Row Middles 鈥 available to view
Cantaloupe, Snap Bean, and Sweet Corn Response to Multiple Rates of Soil-Applied Herbicides 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
Insect Management in Sweet Corn and Cantaloupes 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
听
PROCESSING VEGETABLE CROP TOUR
3:00听 p.m. to 4:10听 p.m.
Lima, Snap Bean, and Pea Variety Trials and 2026 Research on Nematode Resistance in all Advanced Breeding Lines, Impacts of Upright Plant Architecture on Seed Quality and a Direct Comparison of No-till vs Tillage Production 鈥 Dr. Emmalea Ernest 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Demonstration of a Precision Sprayer Designed to Target Individual Weeds 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
Seed Corn Maggot Management 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
听
MELON CROP TOUR
4:50 p.m. to 6 p.m.
From Flower to Fruit: Grafted Watermelon Row Spacing Trial 鈥 Lyndsie Mikkelsen 鈥 91原创 Extension Fruit and Vegetable Agent
Weed Control for Row Middles 鈥 Dr. Mark VanGessel 鈥 91原创 Extension Weed Specialist
Cucumber Beetle Management in Melons 鈥 Dr. David Owens 鈥 91原创 Extension Entomologist
Disease Management in Melons 鈥 Dr. Alyssa Betts 鈥 91原创 Extension Plant Pathologist